Ask An Artist

Hosted by Peter Keegan and Tom Shepherd

Business Marketing ArtsInterviews guestsExplicit

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Episodes

185

Latest episode

Dec 2025

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EN-GB

About the show

Professional artists Peter Keegan and Tom Shepherd discuss the practical issues of making art your career. Drawing on their own experiences they offer candid advice for artists who want to make a living from their work. Peter is a portrait painter working predominantly to commission for both private and public clients and he also teaches in-person and online. Tom is a watercolour artist with a passion for wildlife and conservation and he also teaches in-person and online. Both Tom and Peter treat their art as a business, always practicing what they preach! Throughout season 1 and 2, renowned printmaker, Laura Boswell was the co-host. Laura is a printmaker working in Linocut and Japanese woodblock, with work is in several public collections. She writes a monthly advice column for Artists and Illustrators Magazine.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

December 26, 2025Episode 221 hr 9 min

Ask An Artist - Best of Season 7, 2025

For this special compilation episode of the podcast, we look back at Season 7 and share some of our favourite moments, from our most popular episodes, from the past year. If this compilation whets your appetite, and you would like to listen to the full episodes, they are:Finding the Balance (ep. 6)How do you juggle it all? Interview with Hashim Akib (ep. 3)6 Tips for Putting on an Exhibition (ep. 10)Interview with Claudia Kennaugh: commercial pricing and cultivating the gallery relationship (ep. 18)Interview with Sarah-Jane Moon (ep. 17)Listener Questions 29 (ep.14)Thank you for listening to the podcast this year, we hope you have found it helpful and good company, wherever and however you listen. Wishing you all the best for the festive season and new year - we'll speak to you again in 2026.This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and Search Press publishers.For more information about our sponsors, please visit:Rosemary & Co Brushes: www.rosemaryandco.comJackson’s Art supplies: www.jacksonsart.comSearch Press publishers: www.searchpress.comTom's website: tomshepherdart.comPeter's website: peterkeegan.comPodcast website: www.askanartistpodcast.com

December 12, 2025Episode 2153 min

Ask An Artist - Reflecting on the Year

In this special episode of the podcast, and the final recorded one for 2025, Peter and Tom reflect on the year just gone. They discuss some of their favourite podcast guests, their favourite podcast chats and look back to the planning episode right at the start of the year, to evaluate whether some of the goals and targets they set themselves, have been achieved.The podcast will be back on Boxing Day with a "Best Bits" compilation.This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and Search Press publishers.For more information about our sponsors, please visit:Rosemary & Co Brushes: www.rosemaryandco.comJackson’s Art supplies: www.jacksonsart.comSearch Press publishers: www.searchpress.comTom's website: tomshepherdart.comPeter's website: peterkeegan.comPodcast website: www.askanartistpodcast.com

November 28, 2025Episode 2042 min

Ask An Artist - Creating a Body of Work

In this episode, Peter and Tom dive into something that sounds a bit grand and serious, but actually sits right at the heart of what Artists do — creating a body of work. Whilst it might sound like something that happens after twenty years and a few gallery retrospectives, really, it’s just about building a thread of consistency and intent in what you make. Whether you’re a painter, sculptor, printmaker or photographer, having a body of work isn’t about quantity — it’s about connection. Peter and Tom discuss how that develops, how to recognise it and, as always, some top tips and best practice from their experience as working Artists.This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and Search Press publishers.For more information about our sponsors, please visit:Rosemary & Co Brushes: www.rosemaryandco.comJackson’s Art supplies: www.jacksonsart.comSearch Press publishers: www.searchpress.comTom's website: tomshepherdart.comPeter's website: peterkeegan.comPodcast website: www.askanartistpodcast.com

November 14, 2025Episode 1951 min

Ask An Artist - Listener Questions 30

In this episode, Tom and Peter answer some of your questions. Firstly they discuss knowing when to raise your prices, followed by a question about the value of art fairs and finally, how much time to spend on social media. If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us to answer it here on the podcast please send it to us via our website here or alternatively you can send it to us via Instagram.This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and Search Press publishers.For more information about our sponsors, please visit:Rosemary & Co Brushes: www.rosemaryandco.comJackson’s Art supplies: www.jacksonsart.comSearch Press publishers: www.searchpress.comTom's website: tomshepherdart.comPeter's website: peterkeegan.comPodcast website: www.askanartistpodcast.com

October 31, 2025Episode 1859 min

Ask An Artist - Interview with Claudia Kennaugh: commercial pricing and cultivating the gallery relationship

In this episode, Peter interviews art industry expert, Claudia Kennaugh. Claudia is the founder of Art and People; a Bristol based art advisory service, offering guidance to artists and collectors. Before setting up Art and People, Claudia worked in the arts for 15 years, first as a musician and performing artist, then gallery manager, art advisor and partner of the Hollywood Road Gallery in London. She has seen both sides of the table - the artist’s perspective, but also the gallery’s - and she now helps artists navigate that sometimes rather opaque system of pricing, sales, and professional relationships. For more information about Claudia and Art & People, please visit: www.artandpeople.coThis Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and Search Press publishers.For more information about our sponsors, please visit:Rosemary & Co Brushes: www.rosemaryandco.comJackson’s Art supplies: www.jacksonsart.comSearch Press publishers: www.searchpress.comTom's website: tomshepherdart.comPeter's website: peterkeegan.comPodcast website: www.askanartistpodcast.com

October 17, 2025Episode 1757 min

Ask An Artist - Interview with Sarah Jane Moon

In this episode, Peter interviews Artist, Sarah Jane Moon. Sarah Jane is a painter whose work often explores identity, sexuality and community. She’s particularly known for her portraits of queer sitters, work that combines boldness, colour and sensitivity where these works have been exhibited internationally. Her portrait of human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, London, and she is currently chair of the Contemporary British Portrait Painters. Alongside her own painting, Sarah Jane teaches painting, has recently released books on portrait and landscape painting and she continues to advocate for LGBTQ+ plus visibility within the arts. Peter and Sarah talk about all of the above and more in this fascinating episode.This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and Search Press publishers.For more information about Sarah Jane, please visit: www.sarahjanemoon.comFor more information about the Contemporary British Portrait Painters, please visit: www.thecbpp.orgFor more information about our sponsors, please visit:Rosemary & Co Brushes: www.rosemaryandco.comJackson’s Art supplies: www.jacksonsart.comSearch Press publishers: www.searchpress.comTom's website: tomshepherdart.comPeter's website: peterkeegan.comPodcast website: www.askanartistpodcast.com

October 3, 2025Episode 1651 min

Ask An Artist - Licensing Your Work

In this episode, Peter and Tom invite Artist Jo Scott back to the podcast, this time, to pick her brains all about the world of art licensing.As often discussed on the podcast, there are many ways to earn an income from your art. Jo Scott, is a brilliant example of an Artist who has a variety of income streams, one of which, is licensing her art work to be used by other companies.In the first part of the episode, Jo explains what licensing is; how it differs to copyright and trademarks; who you might license your art work with or to; licensing contracts and agreements and payment terms and conditions. In the second half, Jo, Peter and Tom discuss how someone might get started in licensing; how to manage and maintain your licensing work and some of the pros, cons, top tips, and pitfalls to watch out for.For more information about Jo, visit joscottart.comThis Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and Search Press publishers.For more information about our sponsors, please visit:Rosemary & Co Brushes: www.rosemaryandco.comJackson’s Art supplies: www.jacksonsart.comSearch Press publishers: www.searchpress.comTom's website: tomshepherdart.comPeter's website: peterkeegan.comPodcast website: www.askanartistpodcast.com

September 19, 2025Episode 1558 min

Ask An Artist - Interview with Jo Scott

In this episode, Peter and Tom interview Artist, Jo Scott. As business owners and creators, it is absolutely possible to put all our eggs in one or two baskets - and some Artist do this very successfully. But there is also a lot to be said for having a variety of income streams.The guest in this episode, Jo Scott, is a brilliant example of someone who has a variety of income streams, all under the umbrella of being an Artist. She has carved out a working life for herself, on her own terms and in this episode, she shares how she has done so.In the first part of the episode, Jo discusses her initial route into the art world; greetings cards. She shares how she got started with greeting card design, how it grew and some top tips for anyone else looking to explore this avenue.In the second half of the episode, Jo talks more about how she combines her art and business with travelling and some of her other income streams (merchandise and mentoring) as well as her plans for the future.For more information about Jo, visit joscottart.comThis Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and Search Press publishers.For more information about our sponsors, please visit:Rosemary & Co Brushes: www.rosemaryandco.comJackson’s Art supplies: www.jacksonsart.comSearch Press publishers: www.searchpress.comTom's website: tomshepherdart.comPeter's website: peterkeegan.comPodcast website: www.askanartistpodcast.com

September 5, 2025Episode 1450 min

Ask An Artist - Listener Questions 29

In this episode, Tom and Peter answer some of your questions. Firstly they discuss online selling strategies, followed by doing your own framing and finally, the qualities needed to become a professional Artist.If you have a question you’d like to put to us and would be happy for us to answer it here on the podcast please send it to us via our website here or alternatively you can send it to us via Instagram.This Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and Search Press publishers.For more information about our sponsors, please visit:Rosemary & Co Brushes: www.rosemaryandco.comJackson’s Art supplies: www.jacksonsart.comSearch Press publishers: www.searchpress.comTom's website: tomshepherdart.comPeter's website: peterkeegan.comPodcast website: www.askanartistpodcast.com

August 22, 2025Episode 1357 min

Ask an Artist - The Art of Travel: Interview with Mary-Anne Bartlett, from Art Safari

In this episode, Peter and Tom interview Mary-Anne Bartlett - brilliant artist, much-loved tutor, and founder of Art Safari.This episode is about all things "art tutoring" and "art holidays"; the ups, the downs, what it really takes to run a successful retreat and how to find your feet if you are thinking of becoming a tutor yourself.Because when you get it right, combining art, great people, inspiring venues, and a sense of adventure is a truly special thing.In the first part of the episode, Mary-Anne talks about her artistic and marketing background and the hard work involved in setting up and building a company. She shares some key business tips to do with marketing, planning, building relationships and the importance of doing a SWOT analysis on your business but overall, she talks about the joy she gets from tutoring and taking artists and students to beautiful and exciting places to paint. In the second half of the episode, Peter, Tom and Mary-Anne talk more about what it takes to be an art tutor; how to start, how to develop, finding your style and the skill of teaching what you love, to other people. In conclusion, Tom asks Mary-Anne about the abundance of art holiday providers and how students, and tutors, can weed out a "good" one from a "bad" one; what are the questions we should be asking, and how do we know who we can trust to work and travel with.For more information about Mary-Anne and Art Safari, visit artsafari.comThis Podcast is sponsored by Rosemary & Co Brushes, Jackson’s Art Supplies and Search Press publishers.For more information about our sponsors, please visit:Rosemary & Co Brushes: www.rosemaryandco.comJackson’s Art supplies: www.jacksonsart.comSearch Press publishers: www.searchpress.comTom's website: tomshepherdart.comPeter's website: peterkeegan.comPodcast website: www.askanartistpodcast.com